Former Switzerland and Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has suggested that Xherdan Shaqiri's slow return from injury has been partially due to Stoke's sub-par medical staff.
The Switzerland international has missed nine matches with problems in both calves, though he was initially only expected to be out a week or two.
And Hitzfeld has pointed the finger squarely at English medical methods to explain his former player's extended absence.
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"In general, the medical department in England are not as strong, not so well trained as those in Switzerland or in Germany," Hitzfeld told Blick.
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"The English have the worse doctors than the Swiss or the Germans. Regarding regeneration, preparation or fitness, Switzerland and Germany are ahead of the English.
"Xherdan is a powerful young man. He has many incredible muscles and calves like I have thighs. This makes you more vulnerable, especially because Xherdan relies on his speed, from his acceleration; his speed and manoeuvrability."
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Were Shaqiri still at former club Bayern Munich, Hitzfeld reckons he would have been back in action already.
"The best practice was at Bayern," Hitzfeld said. "Dr. [Hans-Wilhelm] Muller-Wohlfahrt is a genius in Europe.
"He has incredible feeling in his fingertips. He feels every little change of a muscle fibre. Shaqiri is now missing from Stoke."
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Shaqiri has made 14 Premier League appearances this season, scoring three goals.
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